It looks like Ubuntu 11.04 will come with overlay scrollbars by default. I do like them, but I don't like the current mix of scrollbar types as many applications don't yet use those overlay scrollbars.

Is there a way to disable overlay scrollbars (without removing the overlay-scrollbar package)?

While this seems to have no effect for me (Ubuntu 12.04 with LXDE -- and yes, X was restarted after that change), Erigami's variant worked excellent. Just as a hint to try the other if one doesn't work :)
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IzzyJun 25 '13 at 6:14

Just disabling or removing the overlay-scrollbars as described by the other answers will get you back the scroll bars, but they will be missing the stepper buttons at the end of the bars because they have been disabled in the Ambiance theme. To re-enable them, put the following in the ~/.gtkrc-2.0 file:

Thanks, this restores the steppers for me, but is there an easy way to fix the contrast on the scrollbars so they're not a totally unusable black on black?
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Joseph GarvinSep 22 '12 at 14:34

That worked for me. I'm just surprised by the "murrine". Wondering whether that really applies to me. I thought I had metacity, or is metacity yet something else than the "engine"?
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Alexis WilkeOct 14 '12 at 2:27

This doesn't seem to have done anything for me. Is it because I'm running Cinnamon? Or do I need to restart for it to take effect?
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Paul BrannanMay 6 '14 at 18:20

@PaulBrannan Uhh, that is a really old answer. I would be surprised if it was directly applicable, in particular to the Cinnamon desktop...
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Michael WildMay 9 '14 at 20:39

In Ubuntu 12.04 you can just install Ubuntu Tweak and the option to disable the vertical overlay scrollbar is in Tweaks -> Miscellaneous. You'll need to log-off or reboot for the changes to take effect.

If you want the overlay scrollbar back at some point, you just go and enable it back again in the app. In addition you get a large number of tweaks at your disposition. I'd say this is the easiest way to achieve this.

Simply use utility dconf-editor or gconf-editor. If it is not already present you can install this from Ubuntu Software Center.

This utility is like Windows registry-editor where you can tweak system settings.
From entry org > gnome > Desktop > Applications.you find an item named ubuntu-overlay-scrollbars. Toggle the item off, logout/login and you're ready.

pavlos G. beat me to it. The info is also confirmed here and here
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nitstormJun 7 '11 at 11:38

Thanks for this, guys. As I absolutely despise the overlay scrollbars, I'll accept the answer that removes the packages, but I'm sure this info will be useful to others.
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Josh GloverJun 7 '11 at 11:44

Careful with the single >, it will cause the file to be overwritten if it already exists (and thus destroy all previous changes). Better use >> instead to append the new setting.
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IzzyJun 25 '13 at 6:21